On Dec. 8, 2016, the National Center for Transgender Equality reported results from its survey of nearly 28,000 trans and nonbinary people.

The U.S. Trans Survey report runs to more than 300 pages. A Michigan State University journalism class that is just completing its 12th Bias Busters guide, “100 Questions and Answers About Gender Identity,” will incorporate some of this data, released just hours before the final class meeting.

According to the report’s executive report, “The findings reveal disturbing patterns of mistreatment and discrimination and startling disparities between transgender people in the survey and the U.S. population when it comes to the most basic elements of life, such as finding a job, having a place to live, accessing medical care, and enjoying the support of family and community. Survey respondents also experienced harassment and violence at alarmingly high rates.”

Areas covered in the report include family Life, faith, identity documents, health, work, school, military service, housing, harassment and violence.

]]>http://news.jrn.msu.edu/culturalcompetence/2016/10/05/read-this-before-you-vote/feed/0Out soon: “100 Questions and Answers About Immigrants to the U.S.”http://news.jrn.msu.edu/culturalcompetence/2016/08/23/out-soon-100-questions-and-answers-about-immigrants-to-the-u-s/
http://news.jrn.msu.edu/culturalcompetence/2016/08/23/out-soon-100-questions-and-answers-about-immigrants-to-the-u-s/#commentsTue, 23 Aug 2016 17:34:20 +0000http://news.jrn.msu.edu/culturalcompetence/?p=1313Continue reading →]]>In time for the last few months of the 2016 presidential campaign, the Bias Busters series will have a guide that uses research and information you can count on to answer some of the many questions that have been flying around in the debate.

100 Questions and Answers About Immigrants to the U.S.

* Do immigrants take American jobs?
* Where do they come from?
* Why do people enter illegally instead of just waiting?
* How many immigrants are there in the United States?
* Where do they come from?
* Would a wall at the U.S.-Mexican border help?

You’ll find the answers to these and 96 (at least) other questions in the guide.

We talked to immigrants to learn what were the questions they encounter and feel people should have the answer to. Then, we talked to people, did some research into what polls, studies and others have learned about the immigrant story and we put those into the book. The book, available in digital or print formats, includes about 10 video interviews from the University of Minnesota’s “Immigrant Stories” project. We feel that a stew of statistics cannot tell stories as well as people can.

Our hope is that, with this information, you will be able to have more and better conversations with the immigrants who live, work and go to school with you.

]]>http://news.jrn.msu.edu/culturalcompetence/2016/08/23/out-soon-100-questions-and-answers-about-immigrants-to-the-u-s/feed/2Ramadan covers Northern Hemisphere’s longest days of 2016http://news.jrn.msu.edu/culturalcompetence/2016/06/07/ramadan-covers-the-longest-days-of-the-year/
http://news.jrn.msu.edu/culturalcompetence/2016/06/07/ramadan-covers-the-longest-days-of-the-year/#commentsTue, 07 Jun 2016 19:48:10 +0000http://news.jrn.msu.edu/culturalcompetence/?p=1298Continue reading →]]>In 2016, the Muslim holy month of Ranmadan covers the longest days of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

Why does that matter? It makes Ramadan challenging because observant Muslims will observe strict fasting from sunup to sundown. At this time of year in New York City, for example, that means 15 hours a day of fasting. In December, daylight lasts only about 9 hours and 15 minutes. So, if you have Muslim friends making a month of 15-hour fasts, you’ll understand what they are going through?

Arguably the most widely recognized Islamic observance among non-Muslims, the month of Ramadan brings 30 days of daytime fasting and intense prayer. (In some years and in some regions, Ramadan lasts only 29 days, depending on the crescent moon sighting.) The sincerity with which Muslims undertake Ramadan is reflected in news headlines across the globe. Muslim athletes in the 2012 Olympic Games and players in the 2014 World Cup had to make decisions regarding key competitions and days without a single drop of water. Ramadan requires that every able Muslim refrain from food, drink, smoking, swearing and sexual relations during daylight hours to focus on God and the Quran. Strict fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam.

Muslims fast from sunrise until sunset each day of Ramadan. It is traditional for Muslims to break the daytime fast with three date fruits—just as Muhammad did. The major nighttime meal is known as the iftar, and it often consists of several courses and many dishes. In predominantly Muslim countries, nighttime streets are lively, filled with bright lanterns and packed restaurants. Daytime school and work hours are shortened during Ramadan, and in some regions—such as the United Arab Emirates—it is forbidden even for non-Muslims to eat in public during the daytime hours of Ramadan.

Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Destiny or Night of Power)
One of the last 10, odd-numbered nights of Ramadan

The holiest night of Ramadan is, according to the Quran, “better than one thousand months,” in a concept that stretches our comprehension of time and space. Laylat al-Qadr recognizes the night the Quran was first revealed to Muhammad, and though he never provided a precise date, Islam requires that devotees search for it among the final 10, odd-numbered nights of Ramadan. Though observances vary, it is generally accepted by Sunnis that Laylat al-Qadr falls on the 27th day of Ramadan; Shias celebrate Laylat al-Qadr on the 23rd day of Ramadan, as Muhammad did.

In spite of the generally accepted dates, many Muslims attempt to stay awake in prayer as much as possible during each of the odd-numbered nights during the last 10 of Ramadan. Muslims who are able to spend the entire final 10 nights of Ramadan in the mosque, where food is provided and a continuous worship is carried out, a practice called I’tikaf.

Most Muslims see Laylat al-Qadr as the culmination of Ramadan. This is the period of the most intense prayer, of the greatest giving, the night with the most powerful potential for worship.

Good to know: The Quran was revealed to Muhammad in a series of revelations over 23 years. The initial transmission, recognized with Laylat al-Qadr, began in 610 Current Era in a cave near Mecca.

Eid ul-Fitr (‘Lesser Eid’)
The 1st day of Shawwaal (the month following Ramadan)

The fasting days of Ramadan come to a close with Eid ul-Fitr, the Feast of the Breaking of the Fast. Not only do Muslims not fast on this holiday, it is forbidden for them to do so.

Given that more than one billion Muslims around the world observe Eid ul-Fitr, spellings, start dates—based still, in several regions, on moon sightings—and the length of the festivities can vary widely.

The new Islamic month of Shawwaal begins at sunset, and the following day, preparations begin before sunrise. Many Muslims pray, bathe and wear new clothing, stopping only for a small breakfast, traditionally dates, before heading to a mosque, hall or open area. It is recommended that Eid prayers be offered in congregation, so thousands overflow mosques, filling parks and even gathering in fields.

During Eid ul-Fitr, Muslims visit with family and friends, share communal meals and make donations. Festivities can last several days, and fireworks, carnivals, and gift exchanges add to the revelry.

Good to know: The customary greeting on Eid ul-Fitr is “Eid mubarak!” or “Blessed Eid!”

]]>http://news.jrn.msu.edu/culturalcompetence/2016/06/07/ramadan-covers-the-longest-days-of-the-year/feed/1http://news.jrn.msu.edu/culturalcompetence/2016/04/28/1289/
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Congratulations to Rachele Kanigel, associate professor of journalism at San Francisco State University, for the launch of a new diversity style guide for journalists.

The guide is filled with contemporary definitions and is well organized, listing terms alphabetically and by area. More than 700 terms are included. The guide revives one created at San Francisco State’s Center for the Integration and Improvement of Journalism in the 1990s. Its latest update had been in 2002. This update was needed.

The guide is intended for journalists but can be used by anyone, of course.

The Michigan State Journalism School is proud to have supported the project by allowing Kanigel to use content from our student-produced Bias Busters series (10 guides and counting) for about 100 items. The project draws in information from a dozen other guides, as well.

“For many years — even before I was ordained as a rabbi — I’ve been using Rabbi Joseph Telushkin’s encyclopedia-like book “Jewish Literacy” to teach those interested in learning more about Judaism as well as those in classes leading toward Jewish conversion. I will continue to use that resource, but this simple book will serve as a useful introductory guide for the non-Jewish parents of those who are seeking conversion to Judaism. It will also be a quick and easy reader for non-Jews who simply want to understand more about the basics of Judaism.”

]]>http://news.jrn.msu.edu/culturalcompetence/2016/04/27/thanks-to-rabbi-jason-miller/feed/0Guide to American Jews includes guide to Jewish holidayshttp://news.jrn.msu.edu/culturalcompetence/2016/04/05/guide-to-american-jews-is-10th-in-series/
http://news.jrn.msu.edu/culturalcompetence/2016/04/05/guide-to-american-jews-is-10th-in-series/#respondTue, 05 Apr 2016 20:42:15 +0000http://news.jrn.msu.edu/culturalcompetence/?p=1278Continue reading →]]>The Bias Busters series grows to 10 guides with “100 Questions and Answers About American Jews.” this guide is the second in our stream of guides about religions, joining “100 Questions and Answers About Muslim Americans.”

The guide about American Jews is a good aide to the growing number of non-Jewish Americans who are celebrating elements of Passover and who want to know more about their Jewish neighbors.

The guide answers questions about identity, Judaism, Jewish culture, history, foods and contributions. This edition also features an extensive guide to Jewish holidays throughout the year.

In the Bias Busters series, we try to answer the natural questions that people have about each other. Some questions seem simple, some clearly are not. Now, we con sider making videos to tell stories about some of the most complicated questions.

In “100 Questions and Answers About African Americans,” one of the complicated questions had to do with the wealth disparity between Black and White families. There are so many reasons for this they did not fit well into one answer. So, Michigan State student Madeline Carino used her video production skills to make this motion graphic for the guide.

“100 Questions and Answers About African Americans” is out and available in print and digital formats.

Michigan State university students created this guide against the backdrop of protests about racial equity on our campus and dozens of others.

This is our largest guide so far and it includes multimedia. There are videos about Black hair and Black fraternities and sororities. There are several graphics and our first motion graphic, which explains the reasons for wealth disparity.

Next, we will come out with “100 Questions and Answers About American Jews.” We are aiming for March.

]]>http://news.jrn.msu.edu/culturalcompetence/2016/01/28/african-americans-guide-is-available/feed/0Coming for Black History Monthhttp://news.jrn.msu.edu/culturalcompetence/2016/01/08/coming-for-black-history-month/
http://news.jrn.msu.edu/culturalcompetence/2016/01/08/coming-for-black-history-month/#respondSat, 09 Jan 2016 02:43:33 +0000http://news.jrn.msu.edu/culturalcompetence/?p=1222Continue reading →]]>Our next guide, “100 Questions and Answers About African Americans,” is in the proofing stage and we are working to get it out for Black History Month.

The guide was written in the fall semester as racial demonstrations occurred in American cities and on scores of campuses. The guide will help people understand what those demonstrations are about and the long root that led to them.

The guide answers questions about Black and African American identity, history, language, contributions and several other subjects.

It busts some myths.

And, for the first time in the series, it includes student-produced videos and a motion graphic to help tell the story.